National Fire Protection Association awarded prestigious grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Published on March 25, 2009

National Fire Protection Association awarded prestigious grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

March 25, 2009—The Charles S. Morgan Technical Library, located at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been awarded a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which will allow the library to preserve and scan their copy of Fires and Public Entertainments. The Morgan Library attempts to cover all aspects of fire in the collection; history of fires and firefighters, research on fire behavior, fire investigations, codes and standards, public education and awareness, and technical/engineering resources.

“We are very thankful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for this grant and we are excited to have the opportunity to restore this document. The library is frequently visited by students and scholars seeking to research aspects of fire protection. Fires and Public Entertainments offers a wealth of information to researchers; however in its present condition, we are unable to show it to patrons,” said Stephanie Schneider, association archivist at the Morgan Library.

The library received one of 53 grants given by IMLS. The grant, which totaled approximately $3000, will cover the cost of scanning and preserving Fires and Public Entertainments: A study of some 1100 notable fires at theatres, music halls, circus buildings and temporary structures during the last 100 years, published in 1897 by Edwin O. Sachs. This newspaper-sized text, a compilation of narratives, chronicling fires from the late 1700s, will be sent to the Northeast Document Conservation Center for preservation/conservation.

American Heritage Preservation Program grants are used by small museums, libraries, and archives to help preserve specific items, including works of art, artifacts and historical documents needing conservation. Nearly 190 million objects in U.S. collections are in immediate danger of deterioration and need restoration or conservation, according to the Heritage Health Index report.

“With these awards, communities will be able to rescue exceptional objects that link their pasts to their futures. This grant program is an important part of IMLS’s Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a multi-year, multi-pronged initiative to protect our national treasures,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, IMLS Director.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.